Today Ursula von der Leyen goes to the count in Strasbourg with a fateful number in her head: 401. These are the votes with which she was re-elected president of the European Commission on 18 July last, by secret ballot. Its new college of commissioners will be voted on in plenary, by simple majority and by open vote. However, the European political landscape has undergone significant changes in recent months. One of the most important was the openness towards the ECR group, the European Conservatives and Reformists, of which Fratelli d’Italia is part, which will vote in its support since Fitto is both commissioner of the Pnrr and vice-president.
The president of the EU Commission has confidence and manages to include greens, socialists, liberals, EPP and ECR in her new majority. The Socialists are clear in declaring that the majority includes the Greens but not ECR. The Greens feel included in the coalition, but only partially. The EPP, then, through its group leader Manfred Weber, speaks of a European majority that goes “from the Greens to the ECR”, specifying that the pro-European front includes only a part of the ECR, or Brothers of Italy. In reality, Giorgia Meloni’s party will give its vote to today’s package, reserving the right to give its support in the future depending on the measures that will be launched by the new Commission.
Von der Leyen’s other strategic move concerns the greens: he has in fact appointed former group leader Philippe Lamberts as special advisor on climate. At that point, half of the Green group, around twenty MEPs led by the German and Dutch delegations, chose to support the new Commission. The Italian, Belgian and French delegations instead opt for no. Difficult situation even among socialists. The group, led by the Spanish Iratxe García Pérez, decided to support the new Commission, taking a step back from the no to Raffaele Fitto, who many of them had described as an “exponent of a post-fascist force”. The Italian and Spanish delegations lead the yes front for von der Leyen, while the Germans, French and Belgians are divided between abstentions and votes against.
In Italy, meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s protests over the nomination of Raffaele Fitto as executive vice president have dissolved into a soap bubble. “Italians understand that having an executive vice president of the European Commission, a role never held before by Italy, with strategic delegations, is a great opportunity and reflects Italy’s role in Europe”, said Giorgia Meloni. According to breaking news reported by Ansa, however, the German SPD has decided to abstain. “For the first time in the history of EU institutions, a representative of a post-fascist party is about to obtain a leadership position. This was only possible because the President of the Commission proposed Raffaele Fitto to the prominent position of Vice-President of the Commission, even if the family of his party, that is Ecr, did not vote for his nomination”, wrote the SPD delegation to the European Chamber, MEP Rene Repasi, in a note.
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What are the potential consequences of the growing divide between traditional political strongholds and a desire for clarity on the direction of European integration?
## Ursula von der Leyen’s Second Term: A Balancing Act
Today we have with us Dr. Anna Bianchi , a leading political analyst specializing in European politics , to discuss the reconfirmation of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission President.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Bianchi, Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected in July with a comfortable majority. However, the political landscape has shifted , particularly with a more open stance towards the ECR group, of which , notably, Brothers of Italy , is a member. Can you walk us through this , particularly in light of today’s votes on her new commission?
**Dr. Bianchi:** Absolutely. Von der Leyen starts with a strong base, 401 votes backs her in July.
However, securing a majority , particularly with a new legislative team, requires a delicate balancing act. The ECR group’s openness is significant, particularly because Brothers of Italy, now a major force in Italian politics, is part of it.
While Brothers of Italy supports Fitto’s appointment as both Commissioner and Vice-President,
this hasn’t translated into a full endorsement of Von der Leyen.
Their support today might be tactical, reserving the right to challenge her based on future Commission decisions.
**Interviewer:** There are also divisions within traditional pro-European groups. The Greens are split, some supporting, others abstaining or voting against. The Socialists, while backing Von der Leyen, are wary of the ECR inclusion. Is this a sign of a broader fragmentation in European politics?
**Dr. Bianchi:**
Precisely. Von der Leyen’s strategy involves bringing together a broad coalition, stretching from the Greens to a part of the ECR. This has exposed internal tensions within these groups.
The Greens, for example, are only partially on board, highlighting concerns about a shift to the right within the Commission.
The Socialists , while supporting Von der Leyen, are navigating a difficult terrain. Many are uneasy about including the ECR, viewing them as not fully aligned with core European values. This suggests a growing divide between traditional political strongholds and a desire for more clarity on , particularly, the direction of European integration.
**Interviewer:** So, what are the implications for Von der Leyen’s second term?
**Dr. Bianchi:** This new landscape , characterized by internal divisions and tentative alliances, will likely shape , if not difficult, Von der Leyen’s agenda.
She will have to manage , delicate negotiations to maintain a fragile , difficult-nosed , majority.
Her success will depend on her ability to forge compromises , address diverse concerns within this new coalition , and navigate a spate of critical issues facing Europe.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Bianchi, thank , for sharing your insights on this fascinating development in , thank you.
